Impacts of working from home on sedentary behaviour, physical activity and diet in the post-pandemic era: a within-subject measures study in hybrid workers

Objectives Hybrid working has increased significantly, contributing to concerns about potential negative impacts of working from home (WFH) on sedentary behaviour, physical activity and dietary behaviours, yet limited research has examined these behaviours within hybrid workers in the post-pandemic context. This cross-sectional study compared sedentary behaviour, physical activity and dietary intake between home working and office working days in a sample of hybrid workers. Methods Sedentary behaviour, physical activity and dietary intake were measured over eight consecutive days using a thigh-worn accelerometer (activPAL micro 3) and diet diary (Nutritics app). Waking and working hours and work location (home/office) were recorded in a daily log. Activity-related and dietary behaviours were compared between working locations using linear mixed models, adjusting for covariates. Results Of 111 hybrid workers, 99 provided valid activPAL data (64% female; mean (SD) age: 35 (13) years; body mass index: 24.8 (4.6) kg/m2). Sedentary time did not differ significantly between work locations (p=0.818). Time spent standing (189 min/day vs 206 min/day, p=0.007), stepping (91 min/day vs 105 min/day, p<0.001) and daily step counts (7519 steps/day vs 9303 steps/day, p<0.001) were significantly lower on WFH days. A subsample (n=40, 83% female) provided dietary data; no differences were seen in total energy intake, proportions of macronutrients contributing to total energy intake and snacking (p>0.05) across working locations. Conclusions WFH was associated with reductions in physical activity. Tailored behaviour change interventions are needed to target these important health-related behaviours in this, now common, working environment.